Ethiopia police says has evidences, opposition masterminded violence
Nov 12, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian police officials from two Sub-cities in the capital say they are extracting evidences suggesting that the recent violence staged in Addis Ababa was masterminded by hardliners within the opposition CUD.
Some suspects interrogated in connection with the violence are mentioning names of some executive members of CUD as instigators of the violence, police department head of Nefas Silk Lafto Sub-city, commander Mekonnen Ashagre said.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Wednesday 9 November that opposition CUD leaders and newspaper editors under detention will face treason charges, which carries the death penalty in Ethiopia, for their alleged roles in protests last week in which at 46 people were killed.
In a press statement to the official ENA, Ashgare said the rioters were carrying machetes, stones and gun they snatched from kebele 12 while hand grenade was seized during a search.
The rioters inflicted minor and severe injuries on riot police who were trying to disperse the crowd using clubs, the commander said.
The residents in Nefas Silk Lafto Sub-city, amongst the worst violence-hit Sub-cities, are cooperating with the police to track down on suspects, the police commander said.
He said residents particularly those whose documents burned down when the rioters set fire to their kebele are responsibly collaborating with the police to bring the suspects to justice.
Members of the federal police were killed and sustained injuries during the violence erupted in Addis Ketema Sub-city, operation and preparation department deputy head with the federal police crime prevention main department, deputy commander, Getye Dejene said.
He said one police member was killed while 20 members suffered serious injury and 70 policemen sustained minor injuries in the Sub-city.
Clashes last week between police and opposition supporters drew international condemnation and raised questions about Meles’s commitment to democracy.
While the protests were sparked by the election dispute, many Ethiopians believe they reflect growing frustration over abject poverty in this nation of at least 70 million.
(ENA/ST)